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News posting September 19, 2005
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The upgraded Berkeley CA Amtrak stop was ceremonially opened on Saturday, Sep 17.

   The "Berkeley Rail Stop and Transit Plaza", long awaited, was finally completed. The location is the same, adjacent to the former SP passenger station at 3rd Street and University Avenue.

   Tables and chairs were set out on the new platform for visitors to rest while consuming the free snacks and hearing speakers tell of the Berkeley Redevelopment Agency's work in coordinating the $2.4 million project. This involved redesigning the street under the University Avenue overpass to accommodate buses and other parking and adding new lighting to a new platform, with benches, telephones and other amenities.

   While only the Capitol Corridor trains presently serve the stop--it is not a "station", since it is outdoors--there are plans to have the San Joaquin trains once again stop here.

   In the photo above two Capitols visited the station during ceremonies. The lateness of both caused them to arrive simultaneously, one in each direction. Below, a special cake for guests.


Photos copyright 2005 by Message Media


RAIL ADVOCATES ASKED TO CONTACT THEIR SENATORS NOW

   Because Senate work on the Amtrak funding bill should occur very shortly, various rail advocacy groups are urging citizens to contact their Senators immediately in support of full $1.45 billion funding for Amtrak in the coming fiscal year, and also to  remove from the Appropriations committee version the destructive language regarding sleeping/ dining facilities, the management of which should remain at the discretion of Amtrak and not legislated. In addition, they should be urged to support Senate Bill 1516, Amtrak Authorization (PRIIA).



AMTRAK TO DELAY FARE INCREASE
(Sep 16)
   Facing a flood of complaints, Amtrak decided to postpone its planned September 20 fare hike. The starting date of fare increases is now unannounced.

   The biggest complaints came from officials and riders in the Northeast, where Amtrak had planned a massive jump in the price of its Smart Pass discount tickets. 

   Undoubtedly, fare increases will eventually have to take place to cover increased fuel costs. Some observers guessed that the timing of Amtrak's announcement was partly a political move to influence Amtrak funding legislation, which is due to be addressed by Congress within a few days. 

   There is also the possibility that Congress, beset with other pressing problems, may pass a continuing resolution to keep transportation funding in place at its current levels, rather than vote specifically on Amtrak funding.



AMTRAK TO RAISE FARES SEP 20
AMTRAK PRESIDENT UPDATES EMPLOYEES ON GULF COAST SITUATION
  AMTRAK SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE GULF COAST
   EVACUATION IN TODAY'S TRANSPORTATION MONOCULTURE  By Robert W. Rynerson
  EFFECTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA UPON LOUISIANA (Aug 29)
   AMTRAK LAUNCHES UPGRADED EMPIRE BUILDER
    STARLIGHT TO EMPIRE BUILDER CONNECTION ENDED
   DOWNEASTER FUNDING IS ASSURED
   PIONEER ROUTE REINSTATEMENT REQUESTED IN LOTT BILL
  LOTT-LAUTENBERG BILL PROVISIONS IMPORTANT FOR PASSENGER RAIL


SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES LOTT-LAUTENBERG AMTRAK AUTHORIZATION BILL


  SENATE COMMITTEE TO ACT ON AMTRAK AUTHORIZATION TODAY
NARP applauds their bill
  SENATE COMMITTEE ADDS $50 MILLION TO AMTRAK FUNDING


  CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR TO BE HIT WITH DETOURS IN LATE SUMMER AND FALL
   CALIFORNIA TRAINS REACH MORE RIDERSHIP RECORDS
SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE OKAYS $1.4 BILLION FOR AMTRAK
  DOT WANTS TO CUT OUT SLEEPING CAR, DINER, LOUNGE AND CHECKED BAGGAGE SERVICE ON AMTRAK TO SAVE MONEY.
NARP RELEASES REBUTTAL TO PROPOSAL:
HOUSE VOTE SAVES AMTRAK FUNDING
SUMMER SOLSTICE IN BERLIN 1971
HOUSE COMMITTEE FAILS TO INCREASE AMTRAK FUNDS
 
 
 

 


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DOT'S MINETA HARASSING AMTRAK &  AMTRAK'S REPLY TO THE MINETA LETTER
NARP: DOT OVERSTATES LONG DISTANCE TRAIN PRICE TAG BY $600 MILLION
SENATE HEARING UNDERLINES AMTRAK FUNDING CRUNCH; LONG-DISTANCE TRAINS NOT THE PROBLEM
The shape of long distance trains to come.

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